Schools in for AFL Indigenous Round

Students from Guildford Grammar got football jerseys made specially for the occasion

Guildford Grammar School in Perth will host their first ever Indigenous AFL round tomorrow, along with Wesley College.

“This will be a historic event for Guildford Grammar School and PSA football, as this is the first time such a game has been coordinated.”

The event will be held at the Guildford Grammar School Sports Ovals, following a 10am Welcome to Country, and a 10.30am bounce down.

“All of the 1st XVIII football squad for Guildford Grammar School will be playing; from the 22 players on the squad, six will be Aboriginal students from areas all around the state,” Guildford Grammar’s Indigenous Program Coordinator, Andrew Beck says.

“This be a full length game and will be an annual event falling as close as we can get it to Reconciliation Week.”

The school will have current and former AFL players attending the game, as well as former Guildford Grammar School students.

“One Old Guildfordian of note who will be attending is Larry Kickett, who was one of the first Indigenous students to attend Guildford Grammar School,” Andrew says.

“Larry will toss the coin at the start of the match and will give a motivational speech to the players before the game.”

At the event, bush tucker with a modern twist, will be served and on the menu – kangaroo, emu, crocodile and buffalo.

“We make the meals a little bit gourmet to encourage as many people as possible to try it,” Andrew says.

The event is historic in its own right, being the first ever of its kind. Andrew says it will now become an annual one for Guildford Grammar and Wesley College.

“As this is the first Indigenous Round for Guildford Grammar School, we are hoping for a big crowd to come along and help us celebrate,” he says.